Support group going above and beyond

ONE Bendigo woman is using her own experience coming out as transgender to build a statewide network of support for other trans and gender diverse people.

Zara Jones formed the Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond social support group early last year to seek out others in the community, starting with monthly Sunday afternoon meetups.

“I was looking for a support group locally and couldn’t find one, so I thought ‘well, what better to do than start my own?’,” she said.

“It was just a matter of connecting with people online to start with and then inviting people to meet.

“Eventually more and more people started following the Facebook page and then when COVID hit and everything went online, we ended up connecting with a lot more people and started to form a bit more of a group rather than just me seeking out support.”

Since then, Ms Jones said the group has grown with people from across Australia, and even as far as America, looking to make connections and get practical support.

With funding from Transgender Victoria and a new place to call home at the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub, TGD Bendigo and Beyond run projects that aim to make members feel safe, supported, welcome and included.

The group’s clothing swap events provide people with a cost-effective way to access a new wardrobe that affirms their gender.

“When somebody comes out socially, they have a whole wardrobe of clothes that no longer align with their identity and for me personally, I was shopping at op shops and trying to find things to update my wardrobe but when you transition there’s a lot of costs involved,” Ms Jones said.

The group launched their first clothing swap during Bendigo PRIDE last year, setting off a chain of successful events that will now travel across the state.

“One of the outcomes we weren’t really expecting was that people benefited so much from the social connection,” Ms Jones said.

“We had over 100 people come through the door and the interactions were just amazing with people that hadn’t actually come out to anyone before and spoken openly about their gender identity because they hadn’t felt safe, yet we had this safe space where people felt ready to do that.

“Now we run those clothing swaps at different locations. Our plan is to travel around Victoria and offer this opportunity for people to not only find affirming items to wear but to build that social connection and have that support.”

Ms Jones also co-hosts Speak EZ, a weekly online variety chat show dedicated to sharing LGBTIQ+ community stories and information.

To get involved with TGD Bendigo and Beyond, visit tgdbendigoandbeyond.org.au or contact [email protected].